MOUNT RAINIER – In advance of the forecasted storm in the mountains on Wednesday and Thursday, Chinook and Cayuse passes in Mount Rainier National Park will temporarily close at 10 a.m., Wednesday Nov. 23 as a precautionary measure. Crews will reevaluate conditions next week.

WSDOT will close Chinook Pass (elev. 5,430 feet) between Crystal Mountain Boulevard, about 12 miles northwest of the summit, and Morse Creek, five miles east of the summit. Cayuse Pass (elev. 4,675 feet) will close within Mount Rainier National Park from Crystal Mountain Boulevard to Stevens Canyon Road.

WSDOT typically closes these mountain passes in late November each year due to hazardous driving conditions.

New tool to keep travelers connected
Drivers can now sign up for email alerts for US 12/White Pass, SR 410/Chinook Pass and SR 123/Cayuse Pass. After entering their email address, subscribers should check the box for “Mount Rainier Area State Highway News” under the “News and information” section of the page.

Additional information for Chinook and Cayuse passes are available on a combined web page that features the status of reopening and closing efforts. Current weather and highway conditions are posted to the mountain passes web page.